Tesla Plans Wider Rollout of Full Self-Driving Beta Despite Safety Probes
Tesla prepares to release its advanced Full Self-Driving city streets feature to all U.S. customers this month. The expansion happens while the automaker faces intense scrutiny from federal safety regulators over the technology's risks.
Tesla prepares to expand its Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta to all U.S. customers as early as September, allowing more drivers to experience the autosteer on city streets feature. This advanced software enables vehicles to navigate complex urban environments using only cameras, though Tesla emphasizes that the system remains an assistance tool that requires constant driver supervision. The expansion responds to overwhelming demand from owners who paid up to $10,000 for the feature.
Chief executive Elon Musk announces this broad rollout even as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) intensifies its probe into the automated technology. Critics argue that Musk exposes regular customers to risks typically reserved for professional test drivers while leaving them fully liable for any accidents. The controversial approach highlights the ongoing tension between rapid technological innovation and established automotive safety standards.
Historical patterns suggest that this September target faces potential delays, as Musk maintains a notorious track record of overoptimistic launch timelines. On the same day he promises the FSD expansion, he also postpones the next-generation Roadster to 2023 due to global supply-chain disruptions. International Tesla owners continue to wait indefinitely for access to the FSD beta, leaving U.S. drivers as the sole near-term beneficiaries of the upcoming software release.